Nov. 12 Letters: Hurricane aftermath, immigration and fair taxes

CAPTION

This week, our readers had a lot to say about the increased speed limits along I-64 in Hampton and Newport News and considered constitutional rights in the case of a West Point teacher fired for misusing a student's preferred gender pronoun.

And you can submit a letter to the editor by emailing letters@dailypress.com.

This week, our readers had a lot to say about the increased speed limits along I-64 in Hampton and Newport News and considered constitutional rights in the case of a West Point teacher fired for misusing a student's preferred gender pronoun.

And you can submit a letter to the editor by emailing letters@dailypress.com.

CAPTION

This week, our readers had a lot to say about the increased speed limits along I-64 in Hampton and Newport News and considered constitutional rights in the case of a West Point teacher fired for misusing a student's preferred gender pronoun.

And you can submit a letter to the editor by emailing letters@dailypress.com.

This week, our readers had a lot to say about the increased speed limits along I-64 in Hampton and Newport News and considered constitutional rights in the case of a West Point teacher fired for misusing a student's preferred gender pronoun.

And you can submit a letter to the editor by emailing letters@dailypress.com.

CAPTION

Sunday's snowstorm has slow parts of the Peninsula and Northern Neck to a halt. So it made us wonder what folks do when they don't have to go to school and are generally snowed in.

So we ask: What are some of your favorite snow day traditions?

Let us know by emailing letters@dailypress.com or by commenting on our Facebook stories about the storm at www.facebook.com/dailypressnews.

Sunday's snowstorm has slow parts of the Peninsula and Northern Neck to a halt. So it made us wonder what folks do when they don't have to go to school and are generally snowed in.

So we ask: What are some of your favorite snow day traditions?

Let us know by emailing letters@dailypress.com or by commenting on our Facebook stories about the storm at www.facebook.com/dailypressnews.

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Today, Dec. 5, is a national day of mourning because of the passing of former president George H.W. Bush.

We wanted to pause today to ask what the 41st president's legacy meant to your lives. Were you or a family member deployed during Operation Desert Storm? Did you work on building CVN 77, the USS George H. W. Bush?

We'd love to hear your thoughts about the president. You can write to us at letters@dailypress.com or comment on our Facebook posts at https://www.facebook.com/dailypressnews.

Today, Dec. 5, is a national day of mourning because of the passing of former president George H.W. Bush.

We wanted to pause today to ask what the 41st president's legacy meant to your lives. Were you or a family member deployed during Operation Desert Storm? Did you work on building CVN 77, the USS George H. W. Bush?

We'd love to hear your thoughts about the president. You can write to us at letters@dailypress.com or comment on our Facebook posts at https://www.facebook.com/dailypressnews.

CAPTION

Doing something kind can be one of the easiest - and most fulfilling - things you do today.

That's why the Daily Press is helping highlight acts of kindness through a campaign with the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula.

We've asked you to write in to share your acts of kindness. And you can still submit your experiences by writing to us at letters@dailypress.com.

We want to hear about acts of kindness regardless of whether they are large or small.

Doing something kind can be one of the easiest - and most fulfilling - things you do today.

That's why the Daily Press is helping highlight acts of kindness through a campaign with the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula.

We've asked you to write in to share your acts of kindness. And you can still submit your experiences by writing to us at letters@dailypress.com.

We want to hear about acts of kindness regardless of whether they are large or small.

No relief concerts for the folks who are hurting. No mention of those who cannot help themselves … and there are many. No reminders that, in the words of one first responder, this was worse than Hurricane Katrina.

What really floats

He wrote that if the president "walked across the Potomac River on top of the water the left would say, ‘See the president can't swim!’"

Not so!

The left would simply point out the scientific fact it proves again that hogwash floats.

D.A. Willard

James City County

Proper procedure for immigrants

I can't decide if President Donald Trump is a bigot or just a cynical demagogue.

His ranting about the "invasion" of the US by the group of Central American migrants currently in Mexico is just crazy.

Sending troops to the border is ill-advised and is not an appropriate response to this issue.

The majority of these migrants are women and children fleeing violence in their own countries and hoping for a better, safer life in the US.

When and if they reach the U.S./Mexico border they will be dealt with by U.S. border authorities.

Those who want asylum can apply for it at the appropriate entry locations.

Those who just want to enter the US as immigrants and get a green card will be either accepted or rejected based on their circumstances.

None of these people will invade the U.S. They are not a threat to the U.S.

The president’s suggestion that he can end birthright citizenship by an executive order is just flat wrong.

He should refer to the US Constitution, Amendment XIV, Section 1, which reads, in part: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

That's pretty clear, if you're born in the U.S., you become a U.S. citizen.

There are no caveats about the circumstances of your parents.

The only way provisions of the Constitution can be changed is by an amendment to the Constitution.

Paul Ruffle

Williamsburg

Paying for Medicare

Re: "True costs of Medicare, " Nov. 9

Capt. Kim MacCartney is absolutely correct in his assessment of the cost of Medicare and its unsustainable course. The question now is: Do we as a society that largely relies on employer-sponsored heathcare want to provide heathcare for seniors who no longer qualify for employer-sponsored heathcare. These retirees may have preexisting medical conditions and not be able to find affordable insurance themselves.

Payroll taxes do not cover the cost the cost of Medicare and will not cover them under current taxation. A large part of the deficit in Medicare would be covered if everyone had to pay the same payroll taxes that middle-class people pay.

The reality is that people with larger incomes often pay a greatly reduced rate. Those with larger incomes just received a sizable reduction in income tax. They should pay their share of a program they will themselves benefit from.

Correcting this regressive tax would go a long way toward making Medicare solvent if that is what American people really want.

I, for one, have found Medicare the only affordable alternative when my employer-sponsored heath insurance was no longer available. Maybe others have had the same experience.